How to bring people downtown

[braeburn]

Mainstream retail and an aquarium would be nice 

[Dog Walker]

You think the new courthouse is expensive, try pricing an aquarium!  Tampa would love to rid of theirs, too.

[Springfield Girl]

I would love it if The Landing could attract more retail. I chaperoned a trip to the Art Basel in Miami this year and we took the kids one night to this huge gaming place, kind of like Dave and Busters. I would love to have something like that Downtown. The adults had as much, if not more fun than the kids and it was cheap.

[Fallen Buckeye]

Coliseum was built to be great and attract Romans all over empire,Big Ben and Statue of Liberty are symbols too and also tourist attraction.There is reason it was built biggest.
Sometimes objects become tourist attraction due to luck but most of those structures were made to attract people.
Jax is not on lever of bigger cities to have that money and power,but we can substitute that with creativity where you can create attraction without too much money.

I think you're missing my point. I'm not saying that it's bad to have a big attraction, but I just don't think it should be some big, random thing that has no connection to our community. These attractions you list are iconic and brand their particular city because they remind you of what makes that particular city great. The Coliseum is a symbol of power and of the greatness of the Roman Empire. Lady Liberty is a beacon of freedom placed in a location where so many have entered our country seeking just that. And so on. I'm just saying let's consider the brand we want for our city and build accordingly.

I'm not dead set on a Southern Rock HOF, but I see that as something that has potential to brand our city in a positive light and something that could complement our current efforts to revitalize downtown nicely. As for making it an attraction that goes beyond regional appeal that's easy. Give it an interesting design. I mean would Sydney Opera House be on the map if it didn't look like a hedgehog with a bad hair day? Or the Guggenheim? Or the Space Needle? And no the Enterprise is not what I had in mind for interesting design. lol.

I guess what the real thing we have to figure out is what makes Jax unique and how can present that in a way that catches the world's attention.

[mtraininjax]

I'm not dead set on a Southern Rock HOF

We can't even get outdoor concerts at Met Park, we need more music in this town to support a music hall of fame.

[coredumped]

BEER!!!! The cause and solution to all of life's problems!

Let's increase the drinking time to 3 am for downtown, maybe allow drinking on laura street? Hell, make the drinking age 18!

[Bostech]

Since this is south,lets open up shooting range in downtown.That will sure bring people.

[Stenodave]

I used to live in Seattle and one thing that brought tons of people downtown was Pike Street Market.  That is the place where you see them throwing fish around and it is full of Art, Flowers, Fresh Food and stuff.  That is what they need downtown, something with some culture.  I used to roam around there all day buying lunch, listening to the live artists sitting around playing and end up bringing home a lot of produce grown locally. 

Please don't bring up the farmers market that is downtown, that place is NASTY...stinks and so do does the quality.

[Dog Walker]

Jacksonville's history is as a transportation hub.  Sailing ships, steamboats down the river, steamships, railroads, highways;  if we are to have a museum it should be on that theme.

Add a sky tram into the mix and people would come.

[TPC]

I still think the Southern Rock hall of fame is a great idea. I also think a gimmick alone is not enough, without a robust downtown to offer more then a gimmick what's the point?

[Fallen Buckeye]

I still think the Southern Rock hall of fame is a great idea. I also think a gimmick alone is not enough, without a robust downtown to offer more then a gimmick what's the point?

Makes me think of that line from Walk the Line: "Well you got me out here is that where your plan ends?"

[samiam]

Stein Mart should put a flag ship store down town since there head quarter is there

[Overstreet]

Stein Mart should put a flag ship store down town since there head quarter is there

mmmmm......three miles to the closest Stein Mart from the house or 12 miles to the downtown Stein Mart flag ship store passing another Stein Mart on the way.....?  I don't think so.

Maybe something we don't have. Like a Outdoor World,aka Bass Pro Shop. But it will need easy on and off interstate. But don't expect any collateral shopping. A good BPS has a restaurant, archery and gun range inside. No reason to go anywhere else.

[Overstreet]

.......I would love it if The Landing could attract more retail. I chaperoned a trip to the Art Basel in Miami this year and we took the kids one night to this huge gaming place, kind of like Dave and Busters. I would love to have something like that Downtown. The adults had as much, if not more fun than the kids and it was cheap........

There used to be an archade in the landing second floor opposite the food court. Probalby died from lack of use. Of course they never got the promised 800 space parking deck.

Contrary to popular belief I don't think the Landing was ever a place to shop. It was a place to "be," not to shop.

[Overstreet]

.......You think the new courthouse is expensive, try pricing an aquarium!  Tampa would love to rid of theirs, too.........

It becomes a place that needs constant fund raisers. Similar to MOSH. 

However, the Tampa aquarium has the best mangrove skinny water display of all the SE aquariums. It is worth the visit.